From writing sketch comedy to novels to telling true stories from his own life, William Kenower has found that all writing takes courage. Learn more about how to gather the courage to turn nothing into something.

Whether December is your favorite month or you’re a Grinch about it, looking back at holiday classics can give you some new ideas about your own story. Here are four inspiring story ideas that writers can take from Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Why is it so hard for us to put pen to page, even though we say we want to do it? Writing shouldn’t feel like this much of a struggle, but it is… even if we love it and we dedicate our lives to it. This problem stems from a series of myths about creativity, myths that are perpetuated by the creative establishment.

It was May 2014 and we were in New York, prepping for a meeting with our agent, Elisabeth Weed. She had asked us to brainstorm ideas for our next book. We were due at her office in one hour and all we had was a magical blow dryer.

The quotes that follow in this post are not the easy, flowery, hug-inducing kind of quotes. These are kick-you-in-the-pants quotes that tell it like it is and CAN change your life. Read them at your own risk.